Band-cutter and feeder.



P w RUSSELL atented Nov. I8, v|902.

BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER.

(Application tiled Nov. 26,' 1900.)

No. 7|3,804. Patented Nov. l8,.|902.

J. W. RUSSELL.

BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER.

(Application filed NOV. 28, 1900.)

(No Model.) 4Sheats-f8hset 2.

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O 65 o o 0"6 56 7j 633g, 51 l 29 662 o 27 23 l o o H: Monms Perzws co. PHoTouwo.. wnsnmarou n c No. 213,804. Patented Nov. I8, |902.

J. W. RUSSELL.

BAND cuTTEEArm FEEDER.

(Application filed Nov. 28, 1900.) (No Nudel.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

No. 713,804. Patented Nov. la, |902.

J. w. nussELl.. y

BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER.

(Application lad Nov. 26, 1900.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

rvrrnn Frames Farrar rrien.

JAMES lV. RUSSELL, OF SHELDON, IOWA.

BAND-CUTTER AND FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,804, dated November 18, 1902.

Application filed November 26, 1900. Serial No. 37,816. (No model.)

To @ZZ 707mm/ 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES NV. RUSSELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sheldon, in the county of OBrien and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Band-Cutters and Feeders, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide simple, durable, and inexpensive means for operating the band-cutting knives of a machine of this class in suoli manner that the knives may penetrate through one bundle of grain and sever a band on a bundle of grain under the first bundle, and then the knives may withdraw from the bundles in such manner that the bundles will not be thrown forwardly by the action of the knives; and my object is further in this connection to provide means for operating the knives in such manner that they will not become entangled with the straw, so that knives having serrated edges may be successfully used, it. being understood in this connection that it has been impracticable heretofore to use bandcutting knives having serrated edges on account of their liability to become entangled with the straw.

A further object is to provide an improved endless conveyer for carrying the straw beneath the band-cutting knives to the threshing-cylinder, said conveyer being provided with meanswhereby the teeth thereof may be firmly held when in the position required for carrying straw to the threshing-cylinder, and said teeth may then be loosened so as to readily disengage from the straw when at the end of this portion of theirmovement.

A further object is to provide an improved float of simple, durable, and inexpensive construction designed to operate speed-controlling mechanism.

A further object is to provide an improved receiving platform and conveyer divided along a central longitudinal line and so arranged that their portions may be moved to an7 desirable position in a substantially horizontal plane for convenience in placing the conveyer adjacent to a stack ot' grain and, further, to provide a device of this class in which the two parts may be fixed together, so as to utilize the full capacity of both sections when feeding loose grain and the like.

My invention consists in certain details in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l shows a Vertical sectional view through the complete machine with the outer portion of the receiving-platform and conveyer removed. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the rear end portion of the band-cutter and feeder-frame and the forward end portion of the receiving-platform and conveyor-fname and illustrated means for connecting these parts and for driving the receiving-platform and conveyor. Fig. 3 shows a top or plan view of the rear end portion of the band-cutter and feeder frame with the parts of the receiving-platform and conveyer separated and eX- tending in opposite directions. Figs. LL and 5 show an end elevation and a section, respectively', of the means for operating the band-cutting knives. Fig. 6 shows a vertical sectional view of one of the sprockets forsupporting the conveyer of the band-cutter and feeder at its rear, together with the tracks upon which the conveyer operates, and a portion of the conveyer passed over said tracks and around said sprocket. Fig. 7 shows an end elevation of the same parts. Fig. Sshows an'enlarged detail perspective View illustrating a portion of the said conveyer-chain and the conveyer cross-pieces supported uponthe chain and also one of the conveyers connected with the said cross-piece. Fig. 9 shows au enlarged detail perspective View illustrating one of the guides for supporting the crosspieces of the conveyor. Fig. 10 shows an end elevation of the meetingportions of the receiving-platform and conveyer to illustrate the construction of the dividing-boards, also showingin dotted lines the dividing-boards in their elevated position. Fig. 11 shows a vertical transverse sectional View through the receiving-platform and conveyer.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the frame of the machine is of substantially the same general construction as any of the ordinary machines now in IOO use. Hence a detailed description of its construction will be omitted.

I have used the reference-numeral 10 to indicate the side pieces of the frame, and 11 the entire top.

A Near the upper end of the machine-frame is a transverse shaft 12, to which the bandcutting mechanism is attached and which is preferably driven by a belt connected with the threshing-machine. At each end portion of the shaft I have fixed an eccentric 13 to the inner surface of the side piece of the machineframe. Mounted upon each of said eccentrics are two metal straps 14 to encircle the eccentric and to be rotatable thereon. On each strap is an integral arm 15 to project radially therefrom, and the said arms 15 on the straps 14 through each side of the machine are projected in opposite directions. Pivotally connected with the outer end of the arm 15 is an arm 16, and a shaft 17 is fixed to the outer end of said arm 16 and extended transversely of the machine-frame parallel with the shaft 12. Rotatably mounted upon 'each end portion of the shaft l2 is a disk 18, having the ange 19 at its periphery to project toward the adjacent side of the machineframe and to inclose the eccentric, straps, and links just described. The said shafts 17 are passed through openings in this disk 18. Upon each of the shafts 17 I have fixed one or more band-cuttingknives20,thecuttingedges of which are preferably serrated. By this arrangement of parts the following advantageous results are attained. The knife or knives on each of the shafts 17 are obviously operated independently of the others, and the eccentrics 13 are so arranged with relation to the straps 14, arms 15, and links 16 as to cause the knives on each shaft to operate as follows: By means of the mechanism just described every band-cutting knife will during its revo- -lution around the common center also make one complete revolution on its own axis to the end that the knife may sever the bands with a drawing cut and so that the knife may stand at diiferent angles from the time it first engages the grain until it is finally Withdrawn from the grain. When the knife approaches the effective portion of its stroke, it is projected downwardly beyond the disk 18 to a considerable extent, so that it is capable of severing a band on a sheaf of grain after having passed through an entire sheaf resting on top of the first-mentioned one. lThen as the knife finishes the eiective portion of its stroke it is withdrawn upwardly almost in -a vstraight line in such a manner as to prevent the knife from throwing grain toward the threshing-cylinder, and, furthermore, the grain is prevented from becoming entangled with the knife on account of the knife being drawn straight upwardly. Throughout the remainder of the stroke it is carried in approximately the same manner as though it were xed to the disk. The position of these knives at the various positions of their movement is clearlyillustrated in Fig. 1. Beneath this band-cutting mechanism a conveyer is located. This conveyer comprises two transverse shafts 21 and 22, located at opposite ends of the machine-frame. On said shafts the sprocket-wheels 23 are mounted. The frame for supporting the conveying mechanism comprises a platform 24, extending over the bottom of the machine-frame substantially in line with the top edges of the said sprocket-wheels 23, so that during the eective movement of the conveyer the conveyer will rest upon this bottom piece 24. At some distance beneath the bottom piece 24 is a track 25, so positioned as to engage the conveyer and support it upon its return stroke. The conveyer is composed of a series of chains 26, passed around the sprocket wheels 23. At regular intervals throughout the length of the chains I have provided links 27, having the extensions 28 at their tops, provided with openings through which the shafts 29 are passed and also provided with slots 30, through which the teeth 31, which are fixed to the shafts 29, may extend. I have also fixed to each shaft one or more camguides 32. These cam-guides are so positioned on the shafts that when the conveyer is traveling through the eective portion of its movement the said cams will rest upon the bottom 24 and hold the teeth 31 rigidly to their position at the top portion of their movement as limited by the slot 31. Hence for all practical purposes during the effective portion of the conveyer movement the teeth 31 are rigid. However, when the cams 32 pass beyond the end of the bottom 24 they cease to hold the shafts 29 to position, and hence said shafts are free to turn except as they are limited by the pins 31 in the slot 30. This freedom of movement of the pins while passing over the sprockets is sufficient to permit them to disengage readily from the grain, and, furthermore, when the said teeth start on their return' movement they will rest upon the track 25, and this will also aid in removing any grain therefrom that may have become entangled with the teeth.

My improved float for providing means whereby a governing apparatus may be operated by the straw upon the conveyer is as follows: l

The reference-numeral 33 indicates a frame composed of two parallel side pieces and crossrods. In the upper end of the frame 33 I have mounted the transverse shaft 34, which projects through the machine-frame 10 and which is geared to one end of the shaft 12 by means of the sprocket-gearing 34a. On the other end of the shaft 12 is a sprocket-wheel 35, and this sprocket-wheel 35 is connected, by means of a chain 36, with a sprocket-wheel 37 on the shaft 38. Fixed to the central por tion of the shaft 34 is a roller 39. In the opposite end of the frame 33 is the cross-rod 40,

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and rotatably mounted upon the central portion of the cross-rod is a roller 4l. An apron 42 is passed around the rollers 39 and 4l and suitable cross-pieces 43 are fixed thereto. A link 44 is pivoted to one of the side pieces of the frame 33 and projects upwardly to a lever 45, which lever is fixed to a shaft 46, and said shaft is supported in the snitable bearings 47 on the under side of the partll. The opposite end of the lever is pivoted to a rod 4S, which rod is passed upwardly through the top ll and through a bracket 49, and a nut 50 is screwed to this upper end on top of said bracket. An eXtensile coil-spring 5l is mounted upon the rod 48 to bear against the under side of the bracket 4S) and the top of the part l1 to normally exert its force in elevating the float. At the opposite end of the shaft 4G is a lever and a link, similar to the lever 45 and link 44, to support the opposite side of the frame 33. By this arrangement it is obvious that the said float is normally balanced bythe spring 51, and, furthermore, both sides of the float are raised and loweredin unison by means of the mechan ism just described, so that twisting strains upon said float are avoided.

The reference-numeral 54 indicates a rod pivoted to the frame 33 and designed to project to any ordinary governing mechanism, whereby when the float is raised the speed of the machine may be decreased, and vice versa.

I have also provided an improved receiving platform and conveyer, designed to receive the bundles of grain and carry them to a point beneath the band-cutting knives. This device comprises two independent frames, each of identical construction and ot' a width when combined substantially equal to the width of the conveyer under the band-cutter. These frames are of identical construction, and hence but one will be herein specifically described. I have used the reference-numeral 55 to indicate the bottom of the frame. Along the outer side of the frame is a side piece 56 to project upwardly and outwardly in the usual manner, and near the inner edge of the frame is a dividing-board 57, connected with the top portion of the bottom 55 by means of the hinges 58. This dividing-board is usually held in the position inclined upwardly and outwardly by means of a pivoted hook 59, pivoted to the end of the bottom piece 55 to enter an eye 60 in the end of the dividing-board 57. This hook serves an additional function to the above in that when the two frames are brought side by side and the dividing-board of each lowered to lie flat or parallel with the bottom 55 the said. hook 59 is inserted in an eye 6l in the rear end portion of the bottom 55 of the adjacent frame, so that the two frames are firmly held together. Furthermore, in this connection it will be noted by referring to Fig. 10 of the drawings that the dividing-board 62 on one of the frames is designed to fold over the di viding-board 57 on the other. In the end of the frame 55, adjacent to the band-cutter, is a transverse shaft 63, having at its outer end a beveled gear-wheel 64. This beveled gearwheel is meshed with a mating gear-wheel 65, mounted upon a vertical shaft 66, which shaft is supported ina box on the side of the frame 55. The lower end of said shaft is supported in an extension (i7 on the frame ll, and on the bottom of the shaft G6 isaworm-gear GS, meshed-with a mating gear (39 on the shaft 38.

indicates a bracket the lower end of which surrounds the shaft 66 and rests upon an adjustable collar 7l on said shaft and the other end of which is fixed to the bottom of the frame 55 at the side thereof opposite from the shaft 6G. By this means it is obvious that the frame 55 may swing in a substantially horizontal plane and the shaft 63 thereof be driven when the frame 55 is at any point of its movement. 'lhe said frame 55 is preferably supported by means of a rod 72, the upper end of which is pivoted at 73 to the frame lO, thelower end of which is connected with the side piece 5h. Theinner end of each of the receiving-platforms and conveyers is thus supported above the end of the conveyer leading to the threshing-machine, and obviously the said receiving-platforms and conveyers may be swung in substantially horizontal plane from a point in alinement with the con veyer of a band-cutter and feeder from a point approximately at right angles thereto, and said conveyers will each be driven at the same speed when at any position. By this means one of the receiving-platforms and conveyers may be placed in proximity to one stack of grain, while the other is in position adjacent to another stack, thereby saving time and labor in carrying the bundles of grain to the receiver and c0nveyer. However, when it is desired to feed loose grain the two receiving-platforms and conveyers are brought into parallel position, and the dividing-boards are folded, as shown in Fig. 10, whereupon the entire capacity of both of the receiving-platforms and conveyors is combined and loose straw is deliveredinto the band-cutter and feeder in the same Inanner as though a single receiving-platform and conveyer of the ordinary width were used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States therefore, is-

l. An improved band-cutter7 comprising in combination a rotatable shaft, fixed eccentrics near each end of said shaft, a disk fixed to the shaft adjacent to each eccentric, one or more straps rotatably mounted upon eacheccentric, an arm connected with each strap, one or more shafts passed through the said disks and rotatable therein, one or more bandcutting knives fixed to each of said shafts and arms fixed to the ends of each of said shafts and pivoted to the ends of each of the aforesaid arms, said arms on `the shaft or shafts being of a length materially greater than the IOO IOS

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distance from the center of the main shaft to the center of the eccentric.

2. In a band-cutter and feeder, the combination of two shafts 21 and 22, sprocketwheels on said shafts, a fixed bottom between said sprocket-wheels, conveyer-chains passed over said sprocket-Wheels and resting upon said bottom during the effective portion of their movement, a series of extensions 28 on said chains, having transverse openings to receive a shaft, and having slots 30, shafts 29 passed through said openings in said extensions, teeth 3l passed through said slots into said shafts, and cams 32 fixed to said shafts to engage said bottom, substantially as, and

for the purposes stated.

3.. An improved conveyer for band-cutters aud feeders, comprising in combination the shafts 2l and 22, sprocket-wheels 23 thereon, the bottom 24 between said sprocket-wheels, and the track 25 beneath them, chains 26 passed around said sprocket-wheel over the bottom 24 and above the track 25, extensions 28 on said chains, having slots 30 therein, shafts 29 passed through said extensions to extend transversely of the chains, teeth 3l fixed to said shafts, passed through said slots and cams 32 on each of said shafts, said cams being so positioned as to engage and rest upon the bottom 24 during the eective movement of the conveyer-chains and to travel in an inverted position over the track 25 during the return movement of the conveyer-chains, substantially as, and for the purposes stated.

4. In a band-cutter and feeder, the combination of a frame 33, a shaft passed through one end of the fra-me and supported in the sides of the machine-frame, means for driving said shaft, a roller 39 upon the central portion of the shaft, a roller 40 at the opposite end of said frame, an apron passed around said rollers, a link 44 pivoted to the frame and projected upwardly, a shaft 46 mounted in suitable bearings and extended transversly of the machine-frame above the frame 33, a lever fixed to one end of the shaft 46 and having said link pivoted thereto, a yielding pressure device to bear downwardly upon the opposite end of the said lever, and a link 44 connecting the lever 45 with the frame 33, substantially as, and for the purposes stated.

5. In a band-cutter and feeder, the combination, with the machine-frame, of two receiving platforms and conveying.r frames pivotally connected with the band-cutter and feeder-frame, a separate conveyer on each of said receiving platforms and conveyerframes, means for driving said conveyers when in any position, and a folding dividingboard on the inner edge of each of said frames, for the purposes stated.

6. In a band-cutter and feeder, the combination, with the machine-frame, of two receiving platforms and conveying frames pivotally connected with the band-cutter and feeder-frame, a separate conveyer on each of said receiving platforms and convcyerframes, means for driving said conveyers when in any position, adividing-board hinged to the inner edge of said frames to project upwardly and toward eachother, hooks pivoted to said frames and eyes in the ends of said dividing-boards to receive said hooks, Whereby the dividing-boards may be supported in their upright position, and eyes in the end portions of said frame, designed to receive said hooks, whereby the frames may be connected with each other when the folding dividing-boards are lowered, substantially as, and for the purposes stated.

JAMES W. RUSSELL.

Witnesses:

W. I-I. WEBER, W. E. RUSSELL. 

